Device for pointing pencil leads



July 241, 1959 l. D. JONES, JR 2,895,453 DEVICE FOR PoIN'rING PENCIL LEADS Filed Feb. 1o. 195s United States Patent O 2,895,453 DEVICE FOR POINTING PENCIL LEADS Ira David Jones, Jr., South Bend, Ind. Application February 10, 1958, Serial No. 714,321 13 Claims. (Cl. 120-92) This invention relates to improvements in a device for pointing pencil leads, and more particularly to such a device intended for use by draftsmen, illustrators, artists and students, and which is useful for pointing the lead of a pencil of the type wherein a lead or graphite member is enclosed within a wood body, or of the type wherein a holder is provided with a chuck for gripping a piece of graphite or lead in a manner to permit successive advance of the lead from time to time to compensate for wear thereof,

The primary object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple in construction, light in weight, accurate in use, and easy to use or manipulate at a drafting table.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which entraps and contines graphite powder produced as a result of the lead-pointing operation performed thereby.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which will rest on an inclined surface without tendency to roll therefrom, and which will not mar or mutilate a drawing in the event the device contacts such drawing during use thereof.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which will automatically produce a point of the desired sharpness and conical conguration during use thereof, and which will permit or accommodate substantially full length contact of the formed point with a wiping surface prior to withdrawal from the device, and which will accommodate a collet or gripping portion of a mechanical pencil without interference with the operation of the device when the lead is in the sharpening position and when it is in a wiping position within the device.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having an elongated housing receiving the end of a pencil therein and provided with a substantially cylindrical abrasive surface intermediate the end thereof and with passages around the abrasive portion so that graphite particles may pass toward one end of the device from the sharpening area during use of the device while held in an inclined position with one end thereof bearing upon the supporting surface while the device is moved along that surface by the operator who grasps the pencil so that the housing is permitted to rotate relative to the pencil.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having an elongated housing with a sharpening abrasive nng portion intermediate its length and a removable graphite powder collecting chamber adjacent one end and a shiftable plug member interposed between said abrasive ring and said powder-collecting receptacle and so constructed as to permit powder to shift endwise in the casing from the ring to the collecting end thereof but to close off passage of the abrasive powder in the device in the opposite direction.

Other objects will be specification.

apparent from the following In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view of the device in side elevation illustrating the manner in which the same is used;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged axial sectional View of the device taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View of the device taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the device taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the device taken on line S--S of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a side view of a modified `embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing which illustrates the preferred lbodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates an elongated hollow housing of substantially circular tubular conguration throughout the major portion of its length. The housing 10 is preferably formed of plastic material but it may be formed of metal, rubber or any other suitable material. At one end the housing 18 is provided with a neck portion 12 of reduced cross-sectional size which is preferably externally screw-threaded. A frusto conical portion 14 defines an inwardly facing circumferential shoulder between the reduced neck 12 and the remainder of the housing or body 10. The end of the ybody 10 opposite the neck 12 has a central opening 16 formed therein which preferably is of a diameter greater than the diameter of the pencil to be used therein, and which preferably is slightly tapered .as illustrated. An inwardly projecting circumferential flange 18 is formed in the body and outlines a part of the opening 16, said flange outlining an annular groove 20 within the housing for purposes to be described.

An abrasive unit is mounted within the casing 10 intermediate the ends thereof and preferably positioned adjacent to but spacedfrom the frusto conical portion 14. The abrasive unit preferably constitutes a tubular end portion 22 whose inner surface is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 2X4 `and which is preferably tapered internally with a small diameter end of the bore thereof adjacent to the flanged end 18 of the housing. The large diameter end of the bore preferably terminates in an integral tube portion 26 having a plurality of longitudinal interiorly projecting ribs 28 formed therein. The ribs 28 are preferably similar and spaced to define longitudinal grooves or passageways 30 between them. The inner faces of the ribs 28 cooperate to define parts of a cylindrical surface for supporting an abrasive tube 32. The ribs 28 are preferably chamfered at the end adjacent the part 22, and the abrasive tu=be or cylinder 32 preferably extends to the end of the ribs adjacent the chamfer 34, as best seen in Fig. 2, but terminates spaced from the opposite ends of the ribs 28. The tubular portion 26 preferably terminates in a frusto conical end or guide portion 36 having a central opening 38. The termination of the abrasive tube 32 spaced from the end wall 36 provides communication between the passages 30 and the aperture 38 at 40. The frusto conical shape or taper of the end wall 36 defines a circumferential groove 42 between the part 36 and the body of the housing 10 for purposes to be described. The abrasive tube is preferably of a diameter at least equal to the diameter of the aperture 16 and so correlated with reference thereto and with respect to its spacing from the aperture 16 so that the lead 44 of a pencil 46 projectingthrough the opening 16 will be properly pointed as the device operates.

A plug is mounted in the cavity between the parts 14 and 36. This plug preferably includes a head 48 of a diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the housing 10 and substantially greater than the inner diameter of the neck 12. The head 48 is preferably of Patented July 21, 1959 frusto conical shape at 50 and terminates in a substantiallycylindrical end portion 52 whose diameter is slight-` casing, the, frusto conical portion t)v thereof will be spaced from the leading edge of the frusto conical wall 36. surrounding the laperture 38, and, reversely, when the frusto conical surface 50 engages the wall 36 around the opening 38, the end portion 48 will be spaced from the shoulder portion 14. A plurality of spaced notches 54 interrupt the plug portion 48.'

A cap having an imperforate end wall 56 and a skirt portion 58V is internally screw-threaded to mesh with the threads on the neck 12 and form a closed chamber with inthe neck, which chamber is normally separated from the abrasive unit by the plug member 48, 58, 52. The outer cross-sectional dimension of the skirt 58 is preferably substantially equal to the outer cross-sectional dimension of the casing l0 `and preferably provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs or serrations engageable with a supporting surface on which the de vice may be placed when lying at thereon `and serving as means to prevent free rolling of the device on that surface.

In an alternate construction as illustrated in Fig. 6, the cap 64 may be employed characterized by a tapered or frusto conical surface 66 whose large diameter end is ofa diameter larger than the diameter of the housing so that rolling of the article upon an inclined surface will occur in an arcuate path so that the article will not tend to roll off of an inclined drafting table top.

In the use of the device, the pencil whose lead is to be pointed is inserted into the device through the opening 16 in such a position that the lead 44 to be sharpened bears against the interior of the abrasive tube 32. The shank 46 of the pencil is held in the hand of the user with the unit in a position to tilt the same, as illustrated in Fig. 1, bearing upon a supporting surface 68, such `as a table top. The device is then moved along the table top while in :the Fig, l position, per mitting the casing 10 to roll or rotate during the process, the movement preferably occurring back and forth in either a straight or curved path on the supporting surface 68. At the same time that the device rolls on the surface in this fashion, the user turns the pencil shank 46 in his fingers to expose the entire point 44 to the action of the abrasive inner surface Vof the tube 32 to thereby point the same. When the pointing operation has been completed, the pencil is withddrawn partly `and its pointed portion 44 is brought to bear against the interior surface of the serrated or ribbed end part 22and is again operated in substantially the same manner while the point is twisted or turned to expose the entire area thereof to the wiping action of the ribs 24. Thereupon the pencil is withdrawn and is ready for use.

During Ithe sharpening action the graphite particles generated `within the tube 32 pass endwise from that tube and to and through the aperture 38 and thence to and through the notches S4 in the plug 48, 5t). Similarly, when the pencil is being wiped particles will pass through the grooves 30 to `and through the opening 38 and thence through notches 54. Any tendency of the lgraphite particles to move in a reverse direction when the device is resting upon a Supporting surface results in entrapment thereof within the chamber lil between the shoulder portion 4.and the frusto conical wall 36 at therlowermost part of the groove 42vthereof. Fup thermore, if lthe device `should be positioned substantially upright with its opening 16 lowermost, the frusto conical portion 50 of the plug 48 bears againstthe wall 36around the aperture-38m sealfthat aperture and pre vent passage of the graphite particles into the lefthand endyofthedevice.V Consequently, the plug serves -to re- 4 tain graphite particles in the collecting end of the device to thereby avoid the discharge of those particles from the device unintentionally. lt further will be seen that the provision of the interior end lgroove Ztl will serve as a trap for -any loose -graphite particles which exist in the device between the aperture 16 and the aperture 38 so that manipulation of the device by turning the same with the opening )i6 lowermost will not result in spillage of graphite particles. The screw cap 56, 58 effectively retains the graphite particles-within the neckv 18 and also serves as a'means to confine the graphite particles as the device is being disassembled for cleaning purposes. Thus by holding the device with the apertured end 16 thereof uppermost while the cap 56, 58 is being removed, the graphite particles will fall within and be retained within the cap, thereby making the cleaning of the device a simple matter. Furthermore, it will be ap parent that having once been disassembled, the cleaning operation can easily be completed by ilushing water through the device.

While the abrasive tube 32 has been shown herein as being cylindrical, it will be apparent that it may be tapered, if desired in cases where the portions of theV device require such taper, as for the purpose of short'- ening the overall length of the unit. The abrasive'tubev rnay be formed from a strip of abrasive material rolled to desired form for insertion within the ribs 28 at which its natural spring action will hold it in form yand position as required for proper operation of the device. Alternatively, the tube may be preformed and rendered abrasive at its inner surface in any manner well understood in the art.

The housing 10 may be formed in a single pieceas illustrated, in which event one end thereof is formed to finished configuration prior to the insertion of the abrasive unit and the plug, and the other end` is then shaped to desired form following the assembly of the abrasive tube and the plug in position. Also it is possible to manufacture the tube liti in two parts interconnectedl by cementing, welding, bonding, clamping, screw-threading, or otherwise interconnecting the housing parts, as well understood in the art.

As well seen in Fig.V 2, the interior diameter of the.

abrasive tube 32 is smaller than the interior transverse dimension of the adjacent end of the wiping poltion 22, and likewise the free end of the wiping tubular portion 22 has an inner dimension substantially less than the inner dimension of the tube 10. Consequently, clearance is provided between the chuck or collet of a mechanical pencil and the adjacent part of the unit when the pencil is both in the lead-pointing position shown in Fig. 2 and the lead-wiping position in which the lead portion 44 bears against the inner surface of the wiping ring 22. The groove formed by the chamfered surfaces at the ends 34 of the ribs 28 minimizes the possibility that the tiptof` the lead which has been pointed will abut the ends of the ribs after withdrawal of the lead 44 from the abrasive tube 32 and during the wiping action.

Another interesting characteristic of the device is the fact that the inner end of the plug portionl 52 serves as a stop to control the extent to which the pencil is inserted into the device, thereby making it possible to position the pencil correctly with respect to the abrasive tube 32 even though the device may not be transparent. In this connection it will be apparent that the abrasive unit must be Xedly positioned in the casingl so that the plug S2` will have a selected relation-to the abrasive tube 52 at all times. This action may result from a snug or wedged pencil to proper position, tilted relative to the housing` as selen in Fig. 2, and then swing the free end of the .pencil relative to the housing, or to swing the housing relative to the pencil in a manner to cause the lead 44 to traverse the abrasive tube in a circular path.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that changes in the construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. A device for pointing pencil leads comprising an elongated hollow housing having a central opening in one end and an annular internal abrasive surface intermediate its ends, a closure detachably mounted on the opposite end of said housing, an annular guide in said housing between said abrasive and said closure, a plug shiftable in said housing between saidV guide and said closure and accommodating passage of graphite powder therepast toward said closure, said plug spanning said guide and seating thereagainst when said housing is positioned with said closure uppermost to define a valve to coniine graphite particles between said guide and said closure.

2. A device for pointing pencil leads comprising an elongated hollow housing having a central opening in one end and an annular internal abrasive surface intermediate its ends, a closure detachably mounted on the opposite end of said housing, an annular guide in said housing between said abrasive and said closure, a plug shiftable in said housing between said guide and said closure and accommodating passage of graphite powder therepast toward said closure, said plug spanning said guide and seating thereagainst when said housing is positioned with said closure uppermost to define a graphite confining valve, and an annular ribbed wiping portion in said housing between said abrasive surface and said opening.

3. A device for pointing pencil leads comprising an elongated hollow housing having a central opening in one end and an annular internal abrasive surface intermediate its ends, a closure detachably mounted on the opposite end of said housing, an annular guide in said housing between said abrasive and said closure, a plug shiftable in said housing between said guide and said closure and accommodating passage of graphite powder therepast toward said closure, said plug spanning said guide and seating thereagainst when said housing is positioned with said closure uppermost to define a graphite confining valve, a ring of smaller cross-sectional size than said housing, said abrasive surface being formed in said ring, and means mounting said ring in said housing to dene passages extending full length of said ring exteriorly thereof.

4. A device for pointing pencil leads comprising an elongated hollow housing having a central opening in one end and an annular internal abrasive surface intermediate its ends, a closure detachably mounted on the opposite end of said housing, an annular guide in said housing between said abrasive and said closure, a plug shiftable in said housing between said guide and said closure and accommodating passage of graphite powder therepast toward said closure, said plug having a surface adapted to engage and span said guide when said housing is positioned with said closure uppermost to define a valve for confining graphite powder in said closure, said housing having a plurality of spaced ribs therein extending along the length thereof and defining open ended passages therebetween, a ring mounted in said ribs, said abrasive surface being formed in said ring.

5. A device for pointing pencil leads, comprising an elongated hollow housing having a central opening in one end and an annular internal abrasive surface intermediate its ends, a closure detachably mounted on the opposite end of said housing, an annular guide in said housing between said abrasive and said closure, a plug shiftable in said housing between said guide and said closure and accommodating passage of graphite powder therepast toward said closure, said plug having a surface adapted to engage and span said guide when said housing is positioned with said closure uppermost to define a valve confining graphite powder in said closure, a ring of smaller cross-sectional size than said housing, said abrasive surface being formed in said ring, means mounting said ring in said housing to define passages around and extending from end to end of said ring, and an annular ribbed wiping surface in said housing between said abrasive surface and said opening.

6. A device for pointing pencil leads comprising an elongated hollow housing having a central opening in one end and an annular internal abrasive surface intermediate its ends, a closure detachably mounted on the opposite end of said housing, an annular guide in said housing between said abrasive and said closure, a plug shiftable in said housing between said guide and said closure and accommodating passage of graphite powder therepast toward said closure, said plug having a surface adapted to engage and span said guide when said housing is positioned with said closure uppermost, said housing.

having an -annular inwardly projecting flange defining part of said central opening and an annular internal groove in the end of said housing and defining a part of the chamber within said hollow housing.

7. A device for pointing pencil leads comprising an elongated hollow housing having a central opening in one end and an annular internal abrasive surface intermediate its eds, a closure detachably mounted on the opposite end of said housing, an annular guide in said housing between said abrasive and said closure, a plug shiftable in said housing between said guide and said closure and accommodating passage of graphite powder therepast toward said closure, said plug having a surface adapted to engage and span said guide when said housing is positioned with said closure uppermost to define a valve to retain graphite particles between said guide and closure, said housing having an annular shoulder spaced from and confronting said guide, a portion of said plug being shiftably confined between said guide and shoulder.

8. A device for pointing pencil leads comprising an elongated hollow housing having a central opening in one end and an annular internal abrasive surface intermediate its ends, a closure detachably mounted on the opposite end of said housing, an -annular guide in said housing between said abrasive and said closure, a plug shiftable in said housing between said guide and said closure and accommodating passage of graphite powder therepast toward said closure, said plug having a surface adapted to engage and span said guide when said housing is positioned with said closure uppermost, said housing having an annular shoulder spaced from and confronting said guide, a portion of said plug being shiftably confined between said guide and shoulder and having a marginal notch.

9. A device for pointing pencil leads comprising an elongated hollow housing having a central opening in one end and an annular internal abrasive surface intermediate its ends, a closure detachably mounted on the opposite end of said housing, an annular guide in said housing between said abrasive and said closure, a plug shiftable in said housing between said guide and said closure and accommodating passage of graphite powder therepast toward said closure, said plug having a frusto conical surface adapted to seat against said guide when said housing is positioned with said closure uppermost and a reduced portion extending through said guide with clearance.

10. A device for pointing pencil leads comprising an elongated hollow housing having ya central opening in one end and an annular internal abrasive surface intermediate its ends, a closure detachably mounted on the opposite end of said housing, an annular guide in said housing between said abrasive and said closure, a plug shiftable in said housing between said guide and said closure and accommodating passage of graphite powder therepast toward said closure, ,said plug having a surface adaptedto engage andspan said guide when said housing is positioned with-said closure uppermost, said annular guide beingfrusto conical to dene an annular groove confronting said plug.

ll. A device for .pointing Vpencil leads comprising an elongated hollowhousing having a central opening in one end, a closure detachably mounted on the other end of said housing, and an abrasive unit Within said housing including a tubular part having spaced internal ribs, an annular end vilange, and an internally abrasive tubular member mounted by Vsaid ribs and spaced from said end flange, and a plug having a part tting in said end flange with clearance and having an enlarged portion adapted tobear circumferentially on said end ilange when said housing is positioned with said closure uppermost.

12. A ,device for pointing pencil leads comprising an elongated hollow housing having a central opening. in

one end, a closure detachab-ly mounted on the other end 2 of said housing, and an abrasive unit Within said housing including a tubular part having spaced internal ribs, an annular end ange, and an internally abrasive tubular member mounted by said ribs and spaced from said end ange, and alplug having la part fitting in saidV end ange with clearance and having an enlarged portion adapted to bear circumferentially on said end flange when said housing is positioned with said closure uppermost, said housing having a reduced end portion mounting said clo sure and defining a shoulder confronting said annular ange and constituting a stop limiting shifting of said plug.

13. A device for pointing pencil leads: comprising an elongated hollow housing having a central opening in one end, a closure detachably mounted on the other end of said housing, and an abrasive unit within said housing including a tubular part having spaced internal ribs, an annular end ange, and an internally abrasive tubular member mounted by said ribs and spaced from said end ange, said tubular part including an internally ribbed wiping portion at the end thereof opposite said ange.

IReferences Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,188,130 Baier et al Ian. 23, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 601,043 Germany July 19, 1934 

